Guide
Term vs. permanent life insurance
What each kind is for, what it costs, and why most families start with term.
Term insurance covers you for a fixed period—usually 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 years—for a level monthly payment. When the term runs out, coverage ends or renews at a much higher cost. It's the most affordable way to provide a substantial death benefit during the years your family needs it most.
Permanent insurance (whole life, universal life, variations) is built to last your lifetime and accumulates a cash value inside the policy. It costs considerably more monthly for the same death benefit, and the value grows slowly at first. It fits people with ongoing needs: a dependent requiring lifelong support, estate liquidity, or a succession plan for a business.
How to choose
Start with the need, not the product. If your obligation has an end date—a loan that gets paid off, children who become independent—term coverage matches the timeline cleanly. If a need lasts your lifetime, permanent insurance or a term policy with conversion rights may fit better. Many carriers allow you to convert term to permanent without new medical underwriting during a window; the quotes show each carrier's conversion terms.
What people in Compton often do
A practical starting point: a 20 or 30 year term sized to your household's real obligations, reviewed when major circumstances shift. That keeps the monthly cost manageable so you can buy the amount you actually need. Susman Insurance Agency can explore permanent options if your situation includes lifetime needs.